Re: A dead subject

From: Abraham Buckingham (twizlewink_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 08/03/04 

Date: 3 Aug 2004 14:38:44 -0700

jimzotos@yahoo.com (Laserman) wrote in message news:<57378408.0407291710.22a55b0b@posting.google.com>...
> The quadratic formula has been around for thousands of years. I am
> extremely surprised that no one has been able to derive a better
> version of it to solve second degree equations, so, I will give you a
> better version of the formula.
>
> Taking into consideration second degree equations in general,
> ax^2 + bx + c,
> set the expression like so... ax^2 = bx + c then identify
> a,b,and c as you see them on the page. Next use
>
>
> x = (b +-sqrt(b^2 + 4ac))/(2a)
>
> This version will give you the correct roots every time. Notice that
> this version has 2 less minus signs and does not require setting the
> quadratic equal to zero. For these reasons it is a better version. I
> will give you some time to digest this and let it sink in. For those
> of you that are interested I have 3 distinct ways of deriving this
> version mathematically and will do so for you in the near future.
>
> Thank you very much,
> Laserman

I fail to see how discovering that b and c can be written as -(-b) and
-(-c) respectively is an innovation of any kind. Although the
quadratic you've supplied has two less subtraction signs I feel the
confusion of switching signs or organizing the polynomial in a
non-standard way is more confusing then mere subtraction. Personally I
never bothered memorizing the quadratic formula since I could solve by
completing the square on ax^2 + bx + c = 0 which is something your
formula lacks as well making it even more burdensome.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Im confused about signs.
    ... remembered that the quadratic formula starts with -b. ... quadratic equation 2x'2-2x-20=0. ... Superposition does nicely with the two signs of the reals and is ... You are not the only one who has sign confusion. ...
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  • Re: A dead subject
    ... Laserman wrote: ... > The quadratic formula has been around for thousands of years. ... > Taking into consideration second degree equations in general, ... For these reasons it is a better version. ...
    (sci.math)
  • Re: A dead subject
    ... > The quadratic formula has been around for thousands of years. ... > Taking into consideration second degree equations in general, ... For these reasons it is a better version. ... > will give you some time to digest this and let it sink in. ...
    (sci.math)
  • A dead subject
    ... The quadratic formula has been around for thousands of years. ... Taking into consideration second degree equations in general, ... For these reasons it is a better version. ... will give you some time to digest this and let it sink in. ...
    (sci.math)
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